TWO new car parks at Ben Nevis could be created in a bid to tackle tourism chaos around Scotland's highest peak.
About 40,000 people visit the North Face car park every year, and owner Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has been trying to ease congestion at the site.
The car park provides access to a path leading to a viewpoint below Ben Nevis's North Face and the mountain Càrn Mòr Dearg.
Under plans revealed by FLS, the existing car park would be expanded from 38 to 41 spaces and two new ones would be built for 57 and 211 vehicles respectively.
There are also proposals for a new toilet block at the end of the existing car park.
Council chiefs have recommended the plans be given the green light next week.
The North Face car park has become popular with walkers, cyclists, horse riders and runners using forest trails despite originally being built for mountaineers.
Five objections have been lodged including from Fort William Inverlochy and Torlundy Community Council, with members expressing concerns about a lack of consultation with residents and the impact two new car parks could have on wildlife.
There are also fears car park visitors are using nearby woodland as a toilet.
The mountain was named as one of the most "instagrammable" in the UK in 2024 in analysis from holiday property managers Wheelwrights.
Ben Nevis was ranked in second place with 283,297 posts while Ben Lomond came in fifth place with 121,535 posts.
